APPTEASERS: 15 great Android apps and games you should know about (September 12)

APPTEASERS is a collection of apps and games that are new to Android, recently updated, discounted, etc. Whatever the case, we think they’re worth exploring and are willing to bet that many of you would enjoy a few of them.

We understand that we won’t get every single app that crosses our path but we hope to filter things a bit and pass them along to you, dear reader. What you’ll find below is a quick plug for apps and games, occasionally using the developer’s own words to describe the title.

Note that this column is not intended to be a list of “must have” apps but more of a random assortment of titles you might not already know about. No, these are not always new titles. Yes, they can be from big name developers and little indie teams as well.

Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ as we showcase different apps over on our social network streams.

doo Document & Scanner App

Scan images, receipts, and other documents and turn them into PDF files which can be store in your preferred location, including Google Drive, Dropbox or in the doo library. Additional features include automatic document import from email, OCR software, searching, and synchronization. FREE

WeatherPro

One of the better premium weather clients for Android, the new 3.0 update tosses in some fantastic new features such as an improved interface and weather symbols, dyanmic short-term forecasts, and more. Also, there are goodies for those of you who own smartphones with weather sensors. $2.99

Sidebar Plus

Create a sidebar on your Android comprised of items and options such as apps, settings, shortcuts, contacts, bookmarks, widgets, and even Dashclock extensions. There are no limits on the number of items you can put inside the bar once you upgrade however it’s not required. In fact, you can still create 2 bars (10 items per small bar or 4 items per big bar) without upgrading. Comes with three theme options. FREE

Star Wars Force Collection

From Konami comes this card-based game which sees players picking their respective side of The Force and doing battle with the enemy. An officially licensed title that offers players the chance to upgrade their vehicles and weapons. Evolve and enhance your cards to get stronger, ally yourself with others, and compete in locations spread across the galaxy. FREE

LiveHive

Recently released collaboration tool for sales, marketing, and other business users. Manage and share pretty much any files, including MS Office and Google docs, captured webpages, images, PDFs, videos, and more. Free to download, comes with free 30-day trial, and also has a tablet-optimized version for Android. FREE

SMS Auto Responder (Auto Text)

Put your mind at ease when you go to bed at night and set up some automatic responses. Other great use cases include driving, in class, at work, or at the movies. Use preset messages or come up with your own, schedule recurring times, and even handle those pesky Facebook late night notifications. FREE

Clueful Privacy Advisor

Worried about which apps are using your information to sell other companies? Perhaps you’ve got some apps that keep dropping notifications in your status bar. Or, maybe you just want to know which of your apps and games are using your browsing history or sending SMS. Whatever the case, BitDefender’s app can help you pin down the safer and more consumer-conscious titles. FREE

Joining Hands 2

Connect the Peablins to that they are holding hands across the entire board. It starts out simple but gets increasingly harder as you move up the 140 levels. Includes Google Play achievements, unlimited hints, and a number of stars to collect. $.99

Paypal

The Android app gets a brand new coat of paint this week and looks more gorgeous than ever. Functionality remains largely the same, however the user interface is slick and easy to grasp. If you’ve got a Paypal account then you definitely need to download the mobile app. FREE

Zombie Apocalift

You’re stuck in an elevator with a bunch of undead goofballs and now you’ve got take control of the situation. Features a dozen playable characters with endless level possibilities, power-ups, boosts, achievements, and worldwide leaderboard.FREE

Wordly

Play a game of word wits with famous dead and/or fictional personalities including Shakespeare, Cleopatra, and even Count Dracula. Take on one of your Facebook or Twitter friends and challenge them; use wild cards and word hints to gain an edge. How quickly can you rise from novice to master? FREE

Vū

One of the sharpest ways to explore the news and content happening around the world, this free app curates from hundreds of sources over a multitude of categories. The more you interact and use the app, the better the experience gets. Log in with Google+, Facebook, Twitter, or email and share your findings with friends via SMS, NFC, email, and more. Home screen widget keeps your content close at hand. FREE

Heroes of Loot

Get your old school dungeon fix with this throwback game that features unlimited randomly generated maps. Choose from one of four classes (Elf, Warrior, Wizard, Valkyrie) and get questing; earn rewards, experience points, loot (duh!), and more. $1.99

LatteScreen

nstall and configure this app and rest easy knowing you can broadcast your location in an emergency situation. As the name suggests, you simply shake the device “vigorously” and the app reaches out to your emergency contacts to let them know you may be in trouble, providing your location as well.